Wavefront LASIK eye surgery

Wavefront LASIK is also referred to as a custom LASIK surgery or sometimes as a Wavefront-guided LASIK. This type of surgery uses three dimensional measurements on how your eyes process images when light enters. With these measurements, you could use a laser to reshape the cornea properly.

The Wavefront measurement system is very precise. It enables vision correction that would not be possible using standard LASIK surgery, eye glasses, and contact lenses. The treatment is tailored to each patient’s requirements. So, rather than the standard ‘one size fits all’ approach, this treatment takes into account that every patient’s eyes are different and adjusts itself accordingly.

Who are suitable for the Wavefront LASIK eye surgery?

There are certain criteria that you have to meet in order to be eligible for a Wavefront LASIK surgery. Some factors to take into consideration are

  • the precision of the laser system used by the doctor

  • the thickness of your cornea

  • if you have mild to moderately high myopia

  • if you have mild to moderately high hyperopia

  • if you have mild to moderately high astigmatism

You should consult your doctor and find out if you are truly suitable to go through a Wavefront LASIK surgery.

Wavefront LASIK technology and the digital map of your eye

Using the Wavefront LASIK technology, the ability of your eye to focus light rays is measured which will result in a three dimensional digital map. This map will illustrate the irregularities in processing of your eyes. With this information, the laser will be able to determine how to reshape your corneal surface for the best results. The irregularities in the processing of images in your eyes will be fixed.

Ordinary defects in your vision can be corrected using eye glasses, contact lenses, and traditional LASIK surgery. Normal myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism can be corrected using these traditional methods. However, there are irregularities of the eye that can only be spotted and treated with the Wavefront LASIK technology.

What are the potential benefits of using Wavefront technology?

One of the breakthroughs in Wavefront technology involves how you see. Usually, surgeries will make you see clearer by making you score twenty-twenty on the eye charts. With the Wavefront technology, the way you see is also improved. There will be improvement in the fine details and in the sensitivity to contrast. This means that there will be fewer complications after the LASIK treatment related to glaring, halos, and trouble seeing at night.

How much you see will depend on the defects in your vision and this is referred to as the lower-order aberrations. Traditional LASIK is able to treat the usual refractive errors like hyperopia, myopia, and astigmatism. How well you see will depend on the distortions in your vision and this is referred to as the higher-order aberrations. Wavefront LASIK will be able to treat the higher-order aberrations like the decrease in sensitivity with contrast or difficulty seeing at night. Glaring, shadows, and halos are also addressed with the customized LASIK treatments.

The Wavefront LASIK will create an individualized laser correction program for the surface of your eye. This will be guided by a detailed analysis of the errors in your vision as seen in the way light travels through your eye.

As you can imagine this unique approach is more expensive than standard LASIK, but, it can treat those patients with a ‘high’ prescription (moderate to severe refractive error) as well as ensuring better quality of vision.

What are the advantages of Wavefront LASIK in terms of the quality of your vision?

Here are the advantages that you can derive from the Wavefront LASIK in terms of the quality of your vision

  • There is a greater chance that you will achieve a twenty-twenty vision

  • There is a greater chance that you will get better vision than twenty-twenty

  • There is a lower chance of losing the optimal correction for your vision

  • There is a lower chance of losing the quality in your vision

  • There is a lower chance of losing sensitivity in terms of contrast

  • There is a lower chance of getting glares

  • It is unlikely that you will have problems seeing at night

  • There may be a chance to correct previous refractive surgeries and make seeing better with the custom LASIK refractive surgery

What are the different types of Wavefront LASIK technologies available today?

Here are the types of Wavefront LASIK technologies being used today

  • Allegretto Wave Laser – This is a product from Wavelight AG. It is being used by the top laser eye clinics in the United Kingdom today. This product is known to be one of the fastest laser types today. In order to determine the precision and the speed of the Allegreto, Perfect Pulse technology is being utilized in order to make sure that everything is as exact as possible. This kind of procedure is also safe because it makes sure that the laser beam’s energy level is just right before it even makes contact with the eye. In this kind of advanced technology, the position of the eye is tracked in real time. If the patient’s eye moves, the laser will stop immediately and resume only when the patient’s eye returns to its normal position. One of the similar tracking technologies to this Allegretto Wave laser is the ActiveTrak 3-D.

  • Allegro Topolyzer – This instrument has the ability to track existing irregularities in your eye. It will measure and generate data in great detail. The resolution is very high. You will be able to identify keratoconus using this instrument. A Pentacam camera system is used in order to look at the back of the eye and in order to create a three dimensional model which will be later analyzed by the surgeon.

  • Nidek OPD – This technology enables you to measure the progress of thousands of light waves as they pass through several parts of your eye

Wavefront LASIK Surgery Guide:



© Medic8® | All Rights Reserved